TaskForce3D

In 2006 I went back to contracting while keeping an eye open for specific job opportunities. My long term focus was on being creative, developing "new IP", not just doing artwork but I knew the need for quality art outsourcing was on the rise so I formed TaskForce3D. I set it up and marketed it as an experienced next-gen art outsourcing shop, where I could bring in other artists to take on larger amounts of contract work as a team. I completed contract artwork for several production companies in US and UK doing next gen-art, xbox live arcade art to expo booth design concepts. I brought in other artists from time to time to help out, usually because the timelines were very compressed. Most of the time it was just me working 24/7 finding work then doing it. I had a business office inside and converted the garage into a 3 station art studio with no phones and no internet. When I was in the office I was doing email, phone calls, bidding and finding work. When I was out in the studio I was focused on art only; no email, no web, no phones, no distractions.

My favorite project that summer was with EA on Medal of Honor Airbourne. I worked with my friend Justin who was an art director there. He directed me on five rendered images they wanted for marketing and promotional materials. This image was one printed on two page full bleed spreads in magazines (The color and levels are a bit off in this version of the image though).

At the time I was meeting with multiple companies, working all the time and seeing my family go off to movies and the park on the weekends without me. I didn't like that part too much. I realized I was often pretty much a slave to last minute rushed projects and that China was going to be hard to compete with, price wise not quality wise, because their per man day price point was so low. My prediction became: building an art outsourcing company is probably not the best avenue for me to be pursuing right now. Around this time I received an email and or phone call from Radical Entertainment in Vancouver BC, Canada. They were interested in talking to me about joining their team for a "brand new IP project"...